R
Robert Nazarian
Guest
This week was dominated by Mobile World Congress, which brought us a slew of new phones, tablets, and wearables. The most hyped announcement was the Galaxy S 5. Did it deliver as promised? Will Sony finally become a contender with the Xperia Z2? Samsung is hoping the Gear 2 will be more popular than the original Galaxy Gear, but the Gear Fit just might be what the doctor ordered. HTC decided to hold back their greatness until later this month. Will it pay off? And what does Motorola have in the cooker for this year? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week in the world of Android.
Editorials
Are in-app purchases for free-to-play games effective?
Guides
Here’s how to get the Google Now Launcher on any Android phone or tablet
Accessories
Asus releases wireless and wired docks for Nexus 7 2013
Apps – New
WinZip launches ZipShare, a way to zip and manage your cloud-based files
Google Now Launcher now available in the Play Store
RealPlayer Cloud, dubbed “Dropbox for videos,” is now available in the Play Store
Apps – Updates
WhatsApp to bring voice calling to Android and iOS in Q2 2014
Quixey expands Functional Search to provide info from within apps
MLB.com At Bat app updated, includes two new features
Motorola Active Display app gets buzzy with latest update
Carriers
AT&T announces 13 new countries for 4G LTE roaming
AT&T makes international calling and texting more affordable
Android 4.4 KitKat on AT&T Galaxy S4 to begin rolling out tomorrow
AT&T turns on 12 new 4G LTE markets
The all new HTC One for AT&T leaks in silver
T-Mobile LG G2 KitKat update rolling out through PC utility
T-Mobile moving the chains, adds 4.4 million customers in 2013
New leaked press render suggests the LG L90 will head to T-Mobile
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and LG Pad 8.3 to possibly arrive on Verizon March 6
Chromebooks
Close-up of a Chrome-branded device leaks, features Samsung’s faux leather
Chromecast
Plex comes with Chromecast enhancements in new update
AllCast receives updated UI, Muzei support
Gaming
Google Developer Day planned as part of Game Developers Conference 2014
Here’s a much closer look at Google’s Project Tango
Google holding Project Ara conference this April
Project Ara smartphones could be as cheap as $50
Sundar Pichai talks about relationship with Samsung and future phones
Google Developer Day planned as part of Game Developers Conference 2014
Hands free voice search added to Google Chrome Beta
Google moving its mysterious barge to Stockton next week
Google sits third as the world’s most admired company as Apple leads the pack
Google+
New Google+ Android app update adds new photo features
Google Glass
Google lobbying officials to put a stop to restrictions on drivers with Glass
Hardware
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 801, 610, and 615 get announced, one shipping already
Intel announces 2 new mobile processors at MWC 2014
MediaTek announces LTE-capable 64-bit MT6732 chipset
Samsung unveils new Exynos processors
LTE Category 6 Demoed at MWC by Qualcomm and Samsung
Phones – ASUS
Android and ZenUI software upgrades announced for ASUS Padfone 2 and Padfone Infinity
Phones – Boeing
Boeing announces security-focused Boeing Black smartphone
Phones – HTC
New two camera system for HTC M8 shown at MWC 2014
HTC teases the All New One’s improved BoomSound speakers in latest trailer
“The all new HTC One” name is confirmed thanks to leak
The all new HTC One for AT&T leaks in silver
The all new HTC One for Verizon leaks in gray
Successor to the HTC Butterfly S in the works
HTC takes shots at the Galaxy S 5
HTC announces Desire 816 and 610 at MWC 2014
Phones – Lenovo
Lenovo adds three new smartphones to its S-series line-up : S860, S850 and S660
Lenovo’s Ashton Kutcher-influenced smartphones will arrive later this year
Phones – LG
LG gives the updated F Series an official introduction at MWC
New leaked press render suggests the LG L90 will head to T-Mobile
T-Mobile LG G2 KitKat update rolling out through PC utility
Motorola
Motorola to launch a smartwatch later this year, Moto X followup coming this summer
The Moto G is Motorola’s most successful smartphone ever
Phones – Nokia
Nokia unveils 3 new Android handsets: Nokia X, Nokia X+, and Nokia XL
Sideloading APKs on the Nokia X works just like any other Android phone
Nokia tries to attract developers with claim that 75% of Android apps already compatible
Nokia X Series not coming to the US, Korea, Canada, or Japan
Phones – OnePlus One
OnePlus One has reached the ‘Feature Freeze’ phase of development
Phones – Oppo
Oppo says the Find 7 will be ‘greater than’ Samsung’s Galaxy S 5
Phones – Samsung
Samsung announces the Galaxy S 5
VIDEO: Hands on with the Galaxy S 5
Samsung releases infographic to show how Samsung Galaxy S 5 stacks up against predecessors
Watch Samsung’s entire MWC 2014 Galaxy S 5 press conference
Galaxy S 5 will be powered by either a Snapdragon 801 or an Exynos octa-core
Usable storage on the Galaxy S 5 is unsurprisingly low again
The Galaxy S 5 will sport three new battery saving technologies
Metal Galaxy S5 to arrive in May as part of “Luxury F” line
Another report indicates Samsung will cut the price of the Galaxy S 5
Amazon Spain and UK-based retailer, Clove, list Galaxy S 5 price
Samsung to start preloading third-party app bundles on their devices this summer
Android 4.4 KitKat on AT&T Galaxy S4 to begin rolling out tomorrow
Phones – Sony
Sony says “once-a-year” flagship strategy is dead
Sony unveils the Xperia Z2, sports a 2.3 GHz Snapdragon 801 processor
Sony no longer including permanent screen protectors for Xperia Z2 devices
Sony unveils the beautiful and affordable Xperia M2
Phones – Xiaomi
Xiaomi announces 15 million MI2 Smartphones sold so far
Phones – Yota Phone
Second generation YotaPhone gets demoed, features larger e-ink back
Phones – ZTE
ZTE Grand Memo II LTE is a mid-range device running Android 4.4 KitKat
Security
Samsung’s Knox 2.0 provides better app data security and brings a new cloud-based store
KNOX embedded devices from Samsung receive mobile industry’s first Common Criteria certification
Android is about to get even more secure – here’s how
Smartwatches
Motorola to launch a smartwatch later this year, Moto X followup coming this summer
Images of prototype Motorola-Google smartwatch surface
Hands on with the Samsung Gear 2 and Gear 2 Neo at MWC 2014
Samsung to update original model Galaxy Gear to Tizen OS
Tablets
Android and ZenUI software upgrades announced for ASUS Padfone 2 and Padfone Infinity
[Deal] Pick up an LG G Pad 8.3 on Newegg for $224.99
Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and LG Pad 8.3 to possibly arrive on Verizon March 6
Xperia Tablet Z2 officially announced
Updates
Android 4.4 KitKat on AT&T Galaxy S4 to begin rolling out tomorrow
Android and ZenUI software upgrades announced for ASUS Padfone 2 and Padfone Infinity
T-Mobile LG G2 KitKat update rolling out through PC utility
Wearables
Samsung announces ‘Gear Fit’ fitness band [Hands on]
Samsung’s Gear Fit awarded “Best Mobile Device” of MWC 2014
Sony Smartband and Lifelog app will be available to the masses in March
Sony SmartBand now available for pre-order for European markets
Moov is your new personal fitness coach
Miscellaneous
While everyone is making announcements at MWC, Motorola is working on the Quark X
2014 GSMA Global Mobile Awards are in, phone of the year goes to…..
LG presents the homeBoy
Can HTC make a difference in 2014?
One year later and finally some progress on legally unlocking cell phones
Amazon talking to music labels about streaming service
California Court: Using maps on your phone while driving is legal
LG takes shots at HTC and Apple while hinting at metal phones in the process
Come comment on this article: TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for February 24 – March 2, 2014
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